An ethanol extract of Senduduk fruit ( Melastoma malabathricum L) inhibits the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and tumour necrosis factor alpha in HeLa cells

Aim Senduduk fruit (Melastoma malabathricum L) is native to Indomalaya and is believed to possess anticancer activity. This study investigated antiangiogenic and anti-inflammation effects of an ethanolic extract of Senduduk fruit (EESF) on HeLa cells. Methods Cytotoxicity was assayed in HeLa cell cultures exposed to a concentration series of 500-7.8 µg/mL of EESF. IC₅₀ was determined with a methylthiazol-tetrazolium (MTT) cell viability assay. Antiangiogenic and anti-inflammation activity was evaluated by an immunocytochemical assay of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) expression in HeLa cells cultured with 1× or 2× IC₅₀ or as a control without EESF. Results IC₅₀ of the EESF was 956 µg/mL. The intensity of VEGF staining indicated moderate expression in HeLa cells in response to IC₅₀, weak expression in response to 2×IC₅₀, and strong expression in the absence of the EESF. While the intensity of TNF-α staining indicated moderate expression in HeLa cells in response to IC₅₀ and to the absence of EESF, and weak expression in response to 2× IC₅₀. Conclusion Senduduk fruit extract inhibited VEGF and TNF-α expression in HeLa cells in a concentration-dependent manner.

Keywords: HeLa cell; Melastoma malabathricum L fruit; TNF-α; VEGF; ethanol extract.